I've been wondering about using a SheevaPlug for a LiveATC site! Seems like a great idea. Are there any reasonably priced small USB scanners out there? I've seen the Icom PCR series, and the WinRadio as well. They're all very expensive. I might be able to get a feed somewhere if there was a small (SheevaPlug) solution that could be entirely remotely controlled, to add/drop frequencies etc.

Sorry, I can't help you with info about any USB scanners. My feed is running on a Sony Wavehawk hand-held that's plugged into that USB audio adapter. I do have a Bearcat scanner that can be controlled via USB->serial adapter, but I've never tried it under linux. That sounds like a good project though.

It comes with debain already installed, but you can fairly easily install new distros. Check out http://plugcomputer.org for tons of info and support. In fact, in order to get USB audio to work you do need a different kernel than the one mine shipped with. But it literally takes less than 60 seconds to install a new kernel (pre-built).

I don't have a graphic UI installed on it, but I don't see why you couldn't. You have minimal RAM and storage space to work with, so that may limit you. I simply SSH into it and manage it via command line. Not very sexy screenshots I'm afraid.

It comes with debain already installed, but you can fairly easily install new distros. Check out http://plugcomputer.org for tons of info and support. In fact, in order to get USB audio to work you do need a different kernel than the one mine shipped with. But it literally takes less than 60 seconds to install a new kernel (pre-built).